Halifax-based Lightcliffe Motors have opened a Skoda dealership in the showroom formerly occupied by Mazda dealer Peter Hawke on St Andrew's Road.

The company, which already has outlets at Halifax and Shelf, is embarking on a major investment programme to improve the Huddersfield site, where the firm will be called Lightcliffe Skoda.

Peter Smith, joint managing director of Lightcliffe Motors, said: "We wanted to get in here as quickly as possible, to provide a service for our customers.

"But now we are established, we will be carrying out work to refurbish the site."

Mr Smith said work would include re-tiling the floor and installing new lighting in the showroom; expanding the workshop to increase the number of bays from three to six and introduce MOT facilities; and expanding the parts department.

He said his company was confident that Huddersfield offered tremendous potential.

He said: "There is a lot of investment going into the town, with Kingsgate and other town centre developments. We want to contribute to that."

Lightcliffe Motors expects to employ 17 people at the St Andrew's Road site once it is fully operational.

Brand manager Nigel Owram, who takes charge at Huddersfield, said: "Skoda is increasing its market share all the time.

"The Huddersfield site is offering the full range of Skoda cars, including the new RS Fabia, a high-powered diesel hatchback."

Lightcliffe Motors was established in 1974 as a Volkswagen dealer.

It began selling Skoda cars after the maker was acquired by the Volkswagen group.

Lightcliffe Motors was bought by a management team, including Mr Smith, in 1986 and now has almost 100 personnel at its three sites.